Wound licking

Wound licking is an instinctive response in humans and many other animals to cover an injury or second degree burn^[1] with saliva. Dogs, cats, small rodents, horses, and primates all lick wounds.^[2] Saliva contains tissue factor which promotes the blood clotting mechanism. The enzyme lysozyme is found in many tissues and is known to attack the cell walls of many gram-positive bacteria, aiding in defense against infection. Tears are also beneficial to wounds due to the lysozyme enzyme. However, there are also infection risks due to bacteria in the mouth.